String of Pearls Succulent 4" pot

String of Pearls is commonly grown as a houseplant or an outdoor ornamental in frost-free climates. It is often grown in hanging baskets to allow the trailing stems to spill downward. It could also be grown in a flat dish, allowing it to maintain the trailing growth habit seen in the wild.

The plant grows from weak surface roots, producing trailing stems up to three feet long on the ground which can root where they touch soil to form dense mats. It often grows under bushes or between rocks which provide some protection from intense sunlight. The alternate, water-storing leaves are the size and shape of small peas (each to 1/4” diameter) with a small pointed tip on the end and a thin stripe of dark green along the side.

The round shape of the leaves minimizes the surface area exposed to dry desert air and therefore reduces evaporative water loss but also reduces the surface area where photosynthesis can occur compared to a normal thin, flat leaf.

Light: Ideals are full to partial sunny locations or only bright locations directly behind a window. The String of Pearls plant can spend the summer in the garden or on the balcony. There it must be slowly accustomed to the sun, which is no longer filtered through a window. Otherwise its leaves may burn.

Water: Senecio rowleyanus is a succulent plant and can store water in its thick leaves. It does not have to be watered until the soil is nearly dry. Water sparingly if placed cool to temperature during winter.

Soil: Not only a cacti mix is suitable, peat-free mixtures for indoor plants, herbs or vegetables can also be used.

Temperature: A cool winter location at temperatures between 10 to 15 °C (50 to 59 °F) is required to get Senecio rowleyanus to bloom. However, it can also be wintered at room temperature. Minimum temperature is 5 °C (41 °F).

Potting: In the first year after purchase or repotting, Senecio rowleyanus does not require fertilization. Liquid fertilizer can be given every 4th to 8th week if the plant is actively growing. The growing season usually lasts from spring to autumn.

Humidity: Any average household humidity level is fine for String-of-Pearls, but try to keep it at about 50% or higher.